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Do I need a letter from a therapist?

Our practice  follows the Informed Consent model and does not require a letter from a therapist or mental health professional for adult patients under most circumstances.  We very much value therapists as part of the process of a gender transition, but a letter is not a requirement. It is important to note though, that if you are pursuing insurance coverage of your surgery, you will need to get at least one letter from a mental health provider if your health insurance provider follows the WPATH Standards of Care for coverage of surgery.

Are there body weight requirements or other restrictions for surgery?

Dr. Mosser does not have a body mass index (BMI) requirement for chest reconstruction surgery, and has performed top surgery on patients with BMIs as high as 65, after a thorough medical clearance in partnership with the patient’s primary care physician. It is a good idea to not attempt any drastic weight changes close to surgery or afterward, and to be close to the weight range that your body normally stays in. Losing or gaining a significant amount of weight following surgery can impact your final outcome.  BMI Criteria for Surgery

Can I get surgery even if I have other medical and/or mental health diagnoses?

The best candidates for top surgery are physically and emotionally healthy, and have their mental health conditions optimized.  Surgery is overall a very positive experience, but as with all life changes, can be a bit stressful.  Therefore, having as much emotional reserve as possible to manage this short-term stress is important. However, this does not mean if you are not the perfect surgical candidate, you cannot have surgery.  You should ensure you discuss your health history with your surgeon so your conditions can be managed around surgery. 

Can I get top surgery if I am a minor (under 18 years old)?

Yes, but there are a few more requirements. We will need consent from all legal guardians, which most often means both parents (unless only one parent has been awarded legal custody), as well as two letters from mental health professionals in order to assist with insurance coverage.  A GCC clinician  will also speak with your therapist via phone prior to your surgical procedure, in order for everyone on your healthcare team to be as interconnected as possible. It may be a bit more difficult to have your health insurance cover your surgery as a minor, but it is not impossible, and we can help you through the appeals process if …

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All virtual and in-person consultations with our board-certified surgeons are free. Once you fill out this form, our patient care team will reach out and guide you through every step to get to surgery.

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